Carl Andrew Christianson

Carl Andrew Christianson, 91, died Dec. 31, 2015 at Kendal-Crosslands in Kennett Square, Pa. where he and his wife, Marjorie have resided since 2003.

He was born Feb. 18, 1924, in Bronx, NY, the son of Philip A. and Gladys Sophie (Nilson) Christianson and graduated from Brooklyn Polytechnic High School. He was married Feb. 4, 1945, to Marjorie Louise Hellstom, the love of his life, at Christ Church in Oyster Bay.

At the time of their wedding, Carl was serving in the U.S. Navy and deployed soon after their marriage. Shortly after his return to New York after World War II, Carl and Marjorie made their home in Clifton, NJ., with their son Carl and celebrated the addition of sons, Robert Andrew, Thomas Edward and Ernest Philip to their family.

Carl was employed by Federal Telecommunications Labs while living in New Jersey. The family moved to Chester, Conn., in 1955 where they created a home along the Connecticut River. While there, Carl worked at Pratt Reed in Ivoryton, Conn., designing piano actions which were patented as well.

In 1960, Carl and family moved to Southold, where they enjoyed family life on Cedar Beach.

Carl was employed by Brookhaven National Lab until his retirement in 1989. At the pinnacle of his work life, Carl was heavily involved with the Isabel Project, traveling both nationally and internationally, often accompanied by Marjorie.

Carl and Marjorie enjoyed a rich retirement together, traveling and exploring much of the country and visiting friends and family along the way. Carl and Marjorie particularly enjoyed providing child care for all their grandchildren. They visited their college student grandchildren at their various campuses, enjoying all the details over a great meal. Carl enjoyed many hobbies, some of which were sailing and maintaining his old wooden sailboat, model railroading, working on cars and just about any type of woodworking project. In recent years Carl and Marjorie enjoyed country-line dancing and Scottish dancing.

Carl is survived by his wife of nearly 71 years, Marjorie; three sons Robert, and wife, Joan of Greenville, N.C., Thomas, and his wife Beverly of New Suffolk, Ernest, and his wife Kathleen of Essex Junction, Vt., and his daughter-in-law Michaela Christianson of Woodland Park, Colo. He was predeceased by his son, Carl Arthur Christianson. He was the proud grandfather of seven grandchildren, Andrew, Arthur, Heidi (Jordan), David, Damon, Shawn and Kyle Christianson. He delighted in his great grandchildren Bethany and Natalie Jordan and Carl David, Oscar and Margaret Christianson. Carl was predeceased by sisters, Alma Beaman, Phyllis (Pratt) Koepke and Joan Matz and their spouses. Carl is survived by many cousins.

The family will receive visitors beginning at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6, at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. Remembrances will be shared at noon. Interment, with U.S. Navy honors, will follow at First Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Southold

Memorial donations may be made in Carl’s memory to the American Cancer Society.